Giant Outdoor Lanterns

Buying Giant Outdoor Lanterns: What B2B Buyers Need to Know in 2025

From festive light festivals to branded nighttime events, giant outdoor lanterns have become a vital component in creating immersive, visually impactful displays. If you are a city operator, event organizer, or commercial venue planner, this article provides a comprehensive overview of what you need to know before purchasing.

1. What Counts as a “Giant Lantern”?

These typically refer to lantern installations exceeding 3 meters (about 10 feet) in height, visible from a distance and often used as photo backdrops or main entrance structures. HOYECHI supports custom lanterns from 3 meters up to over 10 meters in height.

2. Common Use Cases for Giant Lanterns

• City Festivals: Main visual installations for Chinese New Year, Christmas, Mid-Autumn Festival, and more
• Commercial Squares: Seasonal decor or launch event displays
• Theme Parks & Zoos: Immersive touring routes and themed zones
• Government Cultural Projects: Public art installations that promote tourism and nighttime economy

3. Cost Structure & Budget Planning

The budget for giant lantern projects usually depends on:

• Size and Complexity: More intricate or larger designs increase production cost
• Order Volume: Bulk orders can reduce the per-unit cost
• Lighting System: Basic static lighting is standard; dynamic DMX systems add cost

HOYECHI offers phased quotations and tailored design support based on project scale.

4. Lead Time: From Design to Delivery

Start planning early. A typical custom lantern project involves:

• Design Proposal: 3–5 days
• Manufacturing: 20–40 days, depending on complexity
• Shipping: 25–35 days by sea, or 7–10 days by air (for urgent projects)

We recommend starting at least three months ahead of your event date.

5. Materials & Outdoor Durability

HOYECHI uses a steel frame with waterproof fabric covering as the base structure. Options include:

• UV-resistant coatings for long-term outdoor use
• Wind-resistant structures for up to level-8 winds
• Modular segments for easy transportation and fast on-site assembly

6. Shipping & Installation

• Packing: Pre-assembled in sections using iron racks or wooden crates
• Installation: Provided with blueprints and manuals, requires 2–4 people
• Optional Support: Remote technical guidance or on-site installation in select regions

7. Safety Standards & Certification

• Low-voltage lighting (12V / 24V LED systems)
• IP65-rated waterproof electrical components
• CE / UL certified parts available for Europe and North America

8. Customization Options

We offer comprehensive customization based on your unique scenario:

• Theme-based designs aligned with holidays, cultures, or brand identity
• Custom shapes, colors, sizes, and logos
• Optional interactive features: musical sync, sensor lights, mechanical animation

9. Giant Lantern Types and Application Examples

Animal-Themed Lanterns (Ideal for Zoos and Theme Parks)

Designed using realistic or cartoon-style animal figures such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and penguins. Can include breathing lights and mechanical movements like head turning and tail wagging.

Example Use: ZooLights, wildlife night tours, educational night exhibitions.

Lantern Festival Designs (For Lunar New Year & Cultural Fairs)

Includes traditional palace lanterns, zodiac figures, “Fu” characters, and towering pagoda structures. Often paired with Chinese knots and cloud patterns for cultural resonance.

Example Use: Municipal Chinese New Year displays, tourism-night markets, temple fair events.

Christmas-Themed Lanterns (For Holiday Installations)

Figures like Santa Claus, reindeer sleighs, candy archways, and giant gift boxes. Often use classic red, green, and gold colors to create a festive Western holiday ambiance.

Example Use: Shopping mall Christmas decor, lighting ceremonies, branded holiday markets.

Nature & Botanical Lanterns (For Garden Shows and Public Parks)

Floral and plant structures such as cherry blossoms, lotus flowers, cacti, and tropical foliage. Vibrant color palettes and scalable layouts help create layered spatial effects.

Example Use: Botanical garden tours, summer flower nights, event landscaping.

IP & Cartoon-Style Lanterns (For Branded or Family-Oriented Events)

Based on well-known mascots or custom characters to increase brand visibility and public interaction. Can be paired with gamified lighting or mechanical animations.

Example Use: Theme park IP exhibitions, family-friendly light festivals, brand activation pop-ups.

Conclusion: Big Impact, Careful Planning

Giant outdoor lanterns are a high-ROI solution for public attractions—but only with thoughtful planning and a reliable partner. Whether you’re organizing a city-wide festival or setting up a commercial landmark, a visually impactful lantern structure helps draw crowds and deliver unforgettable experiences.

HOYECHI provides full-process support from design to delivery. Contact us to explore tailored concepts for your next project.